Sunday, May 31, 2009

Our Green Mobility Revolution is coming fast to our Door Steps with every new UPS delivery. If Electric Vans are suitable to be a working horses in hard load Urban Van auto space - models for personal "consumption" will be just fine. Please note that reliability of Electric Vans and their low cost maintenance are one of the selling point in this Green Mobility revolution. Do not forget about Economics of Electric Cars as well plus Zero Road Tax, Zero Congection Charge and Zero Commercial License Charge.

‘Future Proof’The vehicle requires minimal maintenance, for instance the motor only has three moving parts, meaning the unit is ‘sealed for life’ unlike most internal combustion engines.The high strength steel chassis cleverly incorporates the vehicle’s battery pack and is designed to be future proof. This means that as battery technology evolves, the existing pack can be upgraded to suit, along with the potential to house future fuel cell units.These features make the Modec truly innovative while making the electric vehicle a viable option to commer"

May 31 2009 by John Cranage, Birmingham PostWest Midland electric van maker Modec looks set to become the first in the sector to get approval to sell its vehicles throughout the European Union without the need for approval by individual countries.The breakthrough is expected to be the springboard for a major expansion by the Coventry-based company headed by Lord (Jamie) Borwick.It will see Modec, a recent winner of the monthly Birmingham Post Enterprise Award, granted full N2 EC Type-Approval for its battery-powered vans.Approval is crucial to Modec’s internatonal expansion plans this year, the company said.Dealerships are being set up in the Netherlands, Ireland, France, Spain and Denmark, thanks to strong market demand for the unique electric commercial vehicle and purpose-built chassis.The vehicle has completed the testing programme needed to qualify for N2 EC Type-Approval and the final paperwork is being processed to allow it go on sale in international markets.The company went through the EU process with the help of the motor industry test centre at Millbrook and the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA).Modec chief executive Bill Gillespie said: “The process has been rigorous and the level of testing required is significant.“We thank Millbrook and the VCA for their support throughout the process. Modec strongly endorses the concept of European Type-Approval and encourages all electric vehicle manufacturers to undergo the same process.“Expanding to European markets was part of the original Modec business plan. Many international businesses recognize the benefits of zero-emission Modec vehicles and demand continues to grow. N2 Type-Approval has enabled Modec to meet this demand and expand rapidly.”Millbrook engineer Tony Soper said: “We are delighted to have been instrumental in helping Modec to achieve this Type-Approval, the first of its kind.“With electric vehicles becoming more prevalent, Millbrook is in a prime position to offer Type-Approval facilities to manufacturers.”A VCA spokesman said: “Modec has shown a progressive attitude in seeking to obtain EC WVTA at this early stage.”Type-Approval is a process of ensuring that vehicles meet the required environmental and safety standards set down by the EU.Historically, European Type-Approval has been available to passenger cars, motorcycles and agricultural vehicles. Other types of vehicle, including those powered by batteries, needed to gain Type-Approval from each individual member country.But the rules were changed in April to enable all vehicles to win global European approval.Modec began production in 2007 and now has over 150 vehicles on the road. Customers include Tesco, Marks & Spencer, FedEX, UPS and Network Rail.Its vehicles are purpose-designed around a large, removable battery cassette which the company claims makes them “future proof” by allowing customers to “plug and play” with different battery capacities and chemistries as technology evolves.Modec currently offers two batteries: a 60-mile range lithium-iron phosphate pack and a 100-mile “Zebra” sodium nickel chloride version. A higher range lithium-iron phosphate pack will be available later this year."

"TNR personnel recently completed a reconnaissance visit to the property in order to confirm historic data. Four of seven water samples collected in the shallow subsurface over approximately 3 km returned values from 188 to 283 mg/L lithium, and 423 to 698 mg/L boron. This confirms that there are some brines present with concentrations similar to those found at producing salares in North and South America."

"Salares host some of the largest known lithium and boron resources in the world. Lithium with economical grade can be produced directly from Salares without need for costly and time consuming process of mine construction."

In order to understand potential of this acquisition we have looked at Salar del Hombre Muerto, which is a Lithium producing Salar in the same Salta province, Argentina. General explanation of Lithium production from brines in Argrentina below confirms a statement from the company about relative simplicity compare to hard rock mining production cycle.

"Brown and white dominate this true-color image of the Salar del Hombre Muerto, in northwestern Argentina. A salar is a salt pan, created when water repeatedly evaporates from a shallow lake, leaving behind a crusty layer of salt minerals, which are brilliant white in this image.Unlike many salt pans in the region in and near the world’s driest desert, the Atacama Desert, Salar del Hombre Muerto receives enough rainfall to occasionally be covered by a thin layer of water. The water evaporates or percolates through the salt crust to form a layer of brine. The brine in Salar del Hombre Muerto is rich in lithium, an element used in a wide range of products from batteries to medication. The mine in the lower left corner of the image is extracting lithium from the brine by pumping it into solar ponds. The dry, sunny, windy environment quickly evaporates the water from the brine, leaving behind a more concentrated solution of lithium.Lithium is not the only element mined near the Salar del Hombre Muerto. West of the lithium mine shown here is an Incan gold mine, the Incahuasi, which recommenced production in January 2008.The Advanced Land Image on NASA’s EO-1 satellite captured this image on May 16, 2009."

All these sound very encouraging: step by step TNR Gold is aggressively building a critical mass of properties deserving attention of Industry Majors, will be interesting to monitor the situation of strategic partnerships built by this Junior. Among shareholders and partners they have interesting names like Barrick Gold ABX, RAB Capital, Rob McEwen's Minera Andes MAI.to, Nova Gold NG.to and Lukas Lundin's Canadian Gold Hunters CGH.to. Who will come into this Next Big Thing play next?

On Wednesday May 27, 2009, 4:54 pm EDTVANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - May 27, 2009) - TNR Gold Corp. ("TNR" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:TNR - News) is pleased to announce the signing of an irrevocable offer letter to acquire a 100% interest in the Mariana property, located 120 km west of Tolar Grande, in Salta province, Argentina. The Mariana property, a lithium-boron salar, is accessible year round by paved and dirt roads. Historical sampling has reported significant lithium, boron, and potash levels in brines and sediments within the main body of the salar. Salares, or salt lakes, contain minerals dissolved in brines and some include buried layers of evaporite minerals. Salares host some of the largest known lithium and boron resources in the world. Lithium with economical grade can be produced directly from Salares without need for costly and time consuming process of mine construction.

The Mariana project consists of several contiguous mineral claims over 120 km2 covering the entire salar, which extends over 12 km north-south and 10.5 km east-west.

TNR personnel recently completed a reconnaissance visit to the property in order to confirm historic data. Four of seven water samples collected in the shallow subsurface over approximately 3 km returned values from 188 to 283 mg/L lithium, and 423 to 698 mg/L boron. This confirms that there are some brines present with concentrations similar to those found at producing salares in North and South America. Milligrams per litre (mg/L) are approximately equal to parts per million (ppm) when the density of the brine is similar to fresh water. Please refer to TNR's press release dated April 16, 2009 for information regarding TNR's Fish Lake Valley property, located northwest of Chemetall Foote's Silver Peak lithium production facility in Esmeralda county, Nevada - the only lithium brine producer in North America for over 30 years.

President of TNR Gold, Gary Schellenberg, states, "We are very encouraged by the positive press surrounding lithium and rare metals due to new sources of demand from technologies such as rapid-charging batteries and electric vehicles. The Mariana project acquisition is aligned with International Lithium's and TNR's overall philosophy of acquisition of lithium and rare metals projects of merit around the world. Our preliminary evaluation suggests the Mariana project has attractive potash and boron potential which is also characteristic of some major brine producers."

TNR has agreed to make payments totaling US$3,000,000 over a five-year period and commit to work expenditures totaling US$2,500,000 over a four-year period. After completing these payments and incurring these expenditures TNR will have a royalty-free 100% undivided interest in the property.

This agreement is subject to regulatory approval and a finder's fee is payable with regards to this transaction.John Harrop, P.Geo, is the company's qualified person on the project as required under NI 43-101 and has reviewed the technical information contained in this press release.

LITHIUM MARKET OVERVIEW

Currently, Australia, Chile, and Argentina account for more than 80% of the world lithium production. The main sources of lithium and rare earth metals are pegmatites and brines. Conventional hard-rock mining of lithium is economical thanks to other rare earth metals such as tantalum, niobium, and other rare metal content. Some of the largest lithium producers rely on evaporation from brine ponds as this is the most efficient process for concentrating lithium. TNR believes that current production levels will have to be increased in order to meet rising demand for lithium due to recent introduction of stricter standards of fuel efficiency in the USA, increasing prevalence of electric vehicles, and an overall need for more efficient alternative energy solutions.For more information about lithium - deposits, production, markets, and news please refer to TNR Gold's "About Lithium" page at: http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=AvDA1Qw99tV883GGOQqKhuqyf88A/SIG=11ibjitd5/**http%3A//www.tnrgoldcorp.com/s/AboutLithium.asp.

ABOUT TNR.

TNR is a diversified metals exploration company focused on identifying new prospective projects globally and upon approval of pending licences in Ireland, will have a total portfolio of 31 properties, of which 15 will be subject to the proposed spin-off of International Lithium Corp.It is anticipated that TNR shareholders of record will receive one share and one full tradable warrant of International Lithium Corp. for every 4 shares of TNR held as of the yet determined record date. For further details of the spin-off please refer to TNR's April 27, 2009 news release or visit (http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=AgRHQWPWFNt9E5sCGebZciOyf88A/SIG=11907bp0b/**http%3A//www.internationallithium.com/).

The recent acquisition of lithium projects in Argentina, Canada, USA and Ireland confirms the company's commitment to project generation, market diversity, and building shareholder value.

The new Bull is born, not everybody aware of it yet, but tectonic shift is happening everyday, which will affect everybody on this planet in the future. Our initial ideas have found some confirmation in the market quotes and we need to reflect on nature of things in order to confirm our Trade as an Investment Trend.

We have everything in place to produce the Next Industrial revolution- Financial economy is dead, moral is low and there is no faith in any agents left after Madoff and bailouts under Goldman Sachs supervision. Few have shared the Profits and everybody will share the Loss for decades to come.

It is a matter of survival now, capitalism is under a deadly attack from itself and its corrupt Masters. Forget about any pension promised: if it will come - the purchasing power of it will be far below of your expectations. You have to work and work hard for your money and keep them on a very short leash. We have a structural collapse of financial system and if you ask our opinion: it is totally insolvent.

We have two major scenarios out from this point:

1. Deadly decease with War to follow, when everybody is grateful just to be alive, ready to bring to the altar of "Common Good" all their Freedoms and we have a Fall of Rome for a couple of centuries. It is called fascism, we had it before - we can have it again. We do not know what to do in this case.

2. Universe will give us all a chance and Masters will not chose to spin us into the first option because of.....(you can add any positive thoughts here).

In this case we need to plan how to live during Kondratieff Winter until all loss from derivatives will be absorbed by the system. Here is our Gold and Silver ideas will shine, when government will debase FIAT currencies to inflate out debts and Social Security payments unsustainable with real purchasing power of currencies at the same level. Gold and Silver act like a Real Store of Value.

Next thing is to find a Big Idea around which you can consolidate the nation and its economy. It can not be Wall Street and Prosperity of Goldman Sachs, idea to sell houses to everybody, who can never afford it will be felt by everybody for decades to come. We need something which will affect positively everybody very fast, will be big enough to bring structural change to the whole economy, will use at least something competitive left in US Corp., will unleash positive energy of creation and sustainable living in peace with Nature. From economic point of view it must bring back wealth creation based on spending of what is earned, saving and investing in production goods and services with high added value.

We will start our reasoning from the End - it is already happen and US Corp. has to catch up. China is making a leapfrog into electric car next industrial revolution and increasing dramatically its competitive and strategic Power: they are allocating resources where it is matters: high end research applications for everyday life. It is a matter of security - they do not have Oil, they need to keep population happy and bring mobility without destroying what is left out of environment there. Electric cars means New Energy sources, new infrastructure build and new internal consumer demand created.

We have Decoupling here back in play and Two Big Differences: China has Two Trillion dollars in reserve and USA will have Two Trillion dollars in Deficit this year. How to live with it - we let Obama handle it, so far our Gold and Silver positions are happy, but we will not live him alone - he has our full support on Green Agenda and its Mobility side.

Our bullish case for the New Deal: Next Industrial revolution with Mobility revolution based on Electric Cars:

1. Size: Energy economy is estimated at 6 trillion and it is almost half of GDP. Oil Lobby will try to kill the idea by all means, but the country must be stronger this time - another option is to learn Mandarin. When Chinese are buying property in USA they will need domestic staff as well.

2. Everyday life - every family is affected in USA. With Oil prices above 100 USD/b consumers are slowly freezing to death during Kondratieff winter. With Oil above 250 USD/b everything stands still in USA. Economics of Electric cars - 4 cents per mile compare to 13 cents with gas in a very fuel efficient car.

3. Geopolitical situation: Supply - USA is a Net Importer of Oil, depends on supply from outside of its zone of influence. Another war for Freedom (to take their Oil) is out of the Agenda at least for a while.

Buzz in the air is telling us that it is not our thoughts, but headlines from all around the world, sometimes we feel them before the print, but it is a story for another article. Do not forget that we need to be solvent during all stages of the new Bull to make it a real fun.

-- Deborah Cohen covers small business for Reuters.com. She can be reached at smallbusinessbigissues@yahoo.com --
By Deborah L. Cohen

Chrysler is bankrupt, General Motors is on the verge of bankruptcy and the broader auto industry is in a financial mess. But there are winners emerging from the debris of the industry's implosion. Thanks partly to new standards on emissions, those companies are of a familiar hue: green.Start-up makers of electric car components, lithium batteries, smart technologies and other products designed to help the United States and other developed countries reduce dependence on gasoline are generating a lot of buzz these days.
Last week the Obama administration laid out national emissions standards, which are seen as the latest catalyst for the automotive industry to become more aggressive about exploring new technologies to meet compliance. The standards are seen breathing new life into some companies that had been teetering on the brink of survival due to a slowdown in venture funding.
"By forcing the regulatory part, the government is actually pushing (larger) companies toward more investment, which will hopefully trickle down to companies like ours," says Said Al-Hallaj, co-founder of Chicago-based All Cell Technologies, a maker of lithium-ion batteries with sophisticated temperature controls. The products are designed for use with electric-powered vehicles.The new U.S. rules, which begin in 2012, impose a national standard calling for vehicles to average 35.5 miles per gallon by 2016. Cars and trucks are expected to be nearly 40 percent cleaner and more fuel-efficient than they are today.These regulations come on top of some $2 billion in federal economic stimulus grants the Department of Energy will award to battery companies, component providers and other developers of green technology for transportation."It does create some interesting opportunities," says David Cole, chairman of the nonprofit Center for Automotive Research, noting that the prospects for companies offering batteries and other parts for plug-in hybrids could likely see the most near-term interest. "The ingenuity of small companies is very important."
But Cole stresses that only those ventures able to fill a gap or provide a complement to products and technologies developed by the big carmakers and longstanding suppliers stand a reasonable chance at success.
"You're in a competitive race with some really fast people," he says, cautioning that new market entrants should have their ideas vetted by an independent third party early on in development. "If you can provide a narrow niche -- that's great. It's very tough to find that."
‘A GREAT OPPORTUNITY'
Competition is fierce. VentureBeat reported that as of late last year more than 30 companies had been founded just to sell electric cars. Good magazine, which covers altruistic trends, in April released a transportation issue entitled "Reinventing Our Wheels" showcasing more than 100 pages dedicated to alternative forms of transportation.
Investors say the new legislation may generate more participation from the venture capital community.
"Any time there is discontinuity or disruption, there's an opportunity for newer companies or startups to enter the marketplace," says PromodHaque, managing partner of Norwest Venture Partners, an investment firm specializing in technology companies. "This is a great opportunity for money to roll in."
And despite the ever-crowded field, enthusiasm is rising among those start-ups that have already established some staying power, such as Chicago-based All Cell, the lithium-ion battery maker.
The company, which began in 2001 with $2.5 million from friends, family and angel investors, recently increased its staff to 14 and is hunting for manufacturing space. Its customers now include a French maker of electric bikes and two Tier One automotive suppliers that have contracted for early stage research and development.
"We're getting tremendous inquiries," says Al-Hallaj. "The fact that this legislation is in place, if it works, means that now the venture investors and the car companies have to start coming up with strategies to be part of these markets."
Israel-based ETV Motors Ltd, a start-up that is developing alternative power-trains for hybrid-electric vehicles, is another with apparent market momentum. Last month the company raised about $12 million in venture funding and is planning for a second capital-raising round.
"Any regulations or laws that support lowered emissions work in our favor because of our focus on REEVs (range-extended electric vehicles)," says Arnold Roth, ETV's chief operating officer, in an email exchange.
Companies focused on alternative transportation are likely to see some benefit from the new emissions standards, even if it's just from increased public awareness on more environmentally friendly choices for getting around, says David Goldschmidt, chief operating officer for Boulder, Colorado-based Intrago Corp. The early-stage startup is developing logistics systems to manage pools of electric vehicles designed for short trips, such as around town or on corporate campuses.
"As gas prices continue to go back up and the fuel economy and emissions regulations move forward, we think it's great for showing there's still a need to address the economics," Goldschmidt says."

This beauty needs safe storage of Energy - Lithium batteries provide the best solution at the moment and invested billions are making it an industry standard. Lithium ion battery below is actually for Crysler and here is our important point: we can hardly beat Mr John Doerr in recognising Next Google. Will it be A123 systems, who will win the Technological race? We do not know, but they all will need Lithium and Tantalum and other REE - now it is an easy part: which Junior will be a winner in Lithium race? Guys like John Doerr can still bet on everyone involved - market caps are so small, others have to do their homework and, please, do not pretend that you know everything after reading our Diary, it is our journey and you have to find yours. Everybody welcome to join: we will share the maps.

Companies, States Vie for $2.4 Billion in Funding Aimed at Turning U.S. Into Top Maker

By WILLIAM M. BULKELEYThe Obama administration has set off a gold rush to power new environmentally friendly cars.In one of the government's biggest efforts at shaping industrial policy, the Energy Department has been soliciting applications for $2.4 billion in funding aimed at turning the U.S. into a battery-manufacturing powerhouse. At the deadline last week, the department said it had received 165 applications.Companies vying for the federal money include General Motors Corp., Dow Chemical Co., Johnson Controls Inc. and A123 Systems, a closely held battery maker backed by General Electric Co. and others. States including Michigan, Kentucky and Massachusetts are also weighing in with applications, usually in alliance with their favored battery makers.

GM approached a Korean firm about batteries for the Chevrolet Volt, above, but U.S. firms are keen to join the business.When the winners are decided, as soon as the end of July, the Energy Department may anoint Livonia, Mich., or Indianapolis or Glendale, Ky., as the future U.S. hub of car batteries. A 2008 study by researchers at Alliance Bernstein forecast the current $9 billion-a-year auto-battery market, based on lead-acid batteries, could reach more than $150 billion by 2030.The companies and state governments are proposing sites for plants that will make lithium-ionbatteries, the technology that has emerged as the leading choice to power future electric cars.The world-wide market for these types of power cells is now dominated by four big Japanese and Korean companies -- including Sony Corp. and Panasonic Corp. -- but their batteries are chiefly small ones used in laptops and cellphones.Car makers currently use another technology -- nickel-metal-hydride batteries -- in hybrid vehicles such as Toyota Motor Corp.'s Prius because they aren't as prone to fire as lithium-ion batteries are.Lithium-ion batteries are lighter and more powerful than lead or nickel-metal hydride batteries. Several American companies have demonstrated technological improvements that make big versions safe and practical for use in cars and trucks.While mass production of such batteries hasn't been demonstrated, U.S. companies "seem close to building a facility and getting a product out there," said Kent Furst, battery analyst for Freedonia Group, a market-research firm in Cleveland.States are desperate to attract manufacturing plants that would boost employment while reducing greenhouse gases. Some officials argue a big battery factory will attract or preserve job-heavy auto assembly plants."If you're the place where the batteries are made, there's an opportunity to spin it into other things as well," said D. Gregory Main, president of the Michigan Economic Development Corp., a state agency that has committed up to $400 million in incentives for battery manufacturers.Kentucky is promising $110 million in aid and a 1,550-acre site, in Glendale, that it assembled in an unsuccessful effort to land a Hyundai plant several years ago."We're not in that financial league," said Ian Bowles, the Massachusetts secretary of energy and environmental affairs. But Mr. Bowles said Massachusetts has a chance of landing federal funding because it has several in-state battery makers such as Boston Power Co.Manufacturers are proposing to build four plants in Michigan that would require a total capital investment of $1.7 billion, though not all are likely to be funded.Among them is A123, a Massachusetts company that makes batteries in China for Black & Decker power tools. It wants to build a $600 million lithium-ion plant in Livonia, outside Detroit. GM said it was working with A123 on batteries for the planned Volt electric vehicle, raising the small company's profile. But earlier this year GM said it was working exclusively with LG Chemicals, a Korean battery maker.A123 now says it has an agreement to supply batteries for future Chrysler cars."We think they're qualified, if you get past the notion of bankruptcy" for Chrysler and focus on its plan to be acquired by Fiat, said Michigan's Mr. Main. A123, which recently raised $70 million from GE and other investors, declined comment.Meanwhile, Johnson Controls, the Wisconsin auto supplier that is currently the industry's leading lead-acid battery supplier, has allied with Saft LLC, a French battery maker, with plans to build lithium batteries in an existing plant in Holland, Mich.In Kentucky, part of the proposed 1,550-acre site, in Glendale site will be occupied by the National Alliance for Advanced Transportation Batteries, a 51-company consortium, which plans a research campus."It's been a strategic decision to move in the direction of creating Kentucky as what we hope will be the epicenter of battery development," said Larry Hayes, the state's economic development secretary.The consortium was started by Chicago lawyer James J. Greenberger, the head of the energy and project-finance team at Reed Smith LLP. He calls the venture a "law-firm-marketing exercise that got out of control."After he ran a conference last year, companies signed up to form a group that would develop tools and manufacturing expertise to be ready when the technology is. He said the federal funding is "almost too much money," considering the early stage of the market. But he said winning a DOE grant is crucial to the prospects of building the research centerIn Indiana, battery maker Ener1 Inc. has applied for a grant to expand a lithium car-battery plant it already operates in Indianapolis. The company has an agreement to supply batteries to closely held Fisker Automotive, a California company with plans to build and sell $88,000 luxury-hybrid cars in 2010.Ener1 Chairman Charles Gassenheimer said the Energy Department grants would help it expand, but "it's not life or death," for the company, which has raised some $250 million on its own. He said the grants can "accelerate the industry to develop two or three years faster" than it would on its own.Write to William M. Bulkeley at bill.bulkeley@wsj.com "

The best defence is attack. Is it guys from SNS Silver caught with a double deck are pressing charges or Sunshine Precious Metals, Inc., "owner of the fabled Sunshine silver mine in northern Idaho" is trying to get themselves out of criminal charges to follow - as victims, maybe from both sides? It is a great news in any case! SNS Silver Chicago style play will be apparent to any investigation and last management of Sterling Mining have never really thought about shareholders. Any transparency will benefit the situation with the mine ownership and who and how has defrauded shareholders of Sterling Mining. We are waiting for a civil and criminal actions against all involved parties from Sterling Mining shareholders, who were apparently silent victims so far during Sunshine Mine stealing attempt. As we have mentioned before we have enough business risk in this business to have any scam messing around. It could be a show case for mining property rights, which will confirm or disillusion us about rule of law in Idaho.

KELLOGG, Idaho--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sunshine Precious Metals, Inc., owner of the fabled Sunshine silver mine in northern Idaho, will pursue all legal remedies at hand to regain control of the property and seek civil and criminal remedies against those who have worked to defraud or otherwise encumber SPMI's rights.“The time has come for us to seek both civil and criminal actions against those parties we believe conspired illegally against our interests and the interests of the Sunshine mine, its workforce, and Sterling's shareholders,” said SPMI president Robert Mori.Mori continued, “As a property owner and, since 2003 a major shareholder in Sterling, we seek full disclosure and exposure of the relationship between former Sterling Mining Co. acting CEO J. Kenny Berscht, current Sterling CEO Roger Van Voorhees, and Minco Silver Corp. of Vancouver, B.C., which latter entity claims an interest in the Sunshine mine lease adverse to the interests of SPMI.“We demand that the Canadian and U.S. exchanges, by and through their federal regulators, investigate and report to the public the cozy relationship that developed between Minco, Berscht and Van Voorhees commencing during the summer of 2008 and continuing today.“It is clear to us that Minco and one or more Sterling directors conspired to bankrupt Sterling Mining, in attempt to acquire rights to the Sunshine mine for $5 million, not for the $15 million plus shares for a total transaction value of $62 million that the proposed merger between Minco and Sterling called for Minco to pay in their joint July 23, 2008 announcement,” Mori said.Mr. Mori quoted a Feb.24, 2009 article by Minco consultant Robert Moriarty appearing on the website 321gold.com: “For a total of about $6 million in a loan and expenses, Minco Silver is going to end up with a 10-year lease on the famous Sunshine mine with 231.5 million ounces of silver in resources.”“This is clear proof to me that Minco sought to acquire rights to the Sunshine for one-tenth what they had originally agreed to pay to Sterling's shareholders, and it's obvious to us that Minco had inside help from one or more Sterling directors,” Mori said.“Sunshine Precious Metals also wants explained to us and other Sterling shareholders, and to the public, the dual role that TD Securities of Toronto played in representing both companies while it brokered the Minco-Sterling merger deal last summer, especially in light of the fact that Sterling directors were presented with better merger options than the one TD, as Sterling's advisor, advised them to take with their client, Minco,” Mori continued.“As owners of the Sunshine mine, we demand to know the nature of the financial relationships Minco has now, and has had in the past, with Mr. Berscht and Mr. Van Voorhees, and whether it is either ethical or legal for Minco Silver to have been consulting privately with Berscht and Van Voorhees, including receiving from them confidential minutes of Sterling directors' meetings last winter, while Berscht and Van Voorhees were ostensibly working on behalf of Sterling's shareholders as Sterling board chairmen,” Mori said.“Minco and Sterling officers and directors are conspiring deliberately to cloud SPMI's ownership rights, and to impede out efforts to maintain the Sunshine mine in operating condition and return it to production with SNS Silver Corp. as operator. We stand ready to work with law enforcement on both sides of the U.S.-Canada border to ensure that those who would, for personal profit, endanger Sunshine's future, are fully exposed and appropriately punished,” Mori concluded.Contactsfor Sunshine Precious Metals, Inc.Carlos Betancourt, +521 662 124 05 29"

Premier Gold PG.to spend already more then 14 million on the property for its 70%, how this sleeping company can get such a deal? Website is not updated, no news are getting out, but drills are turning and it is the most important. Premier could snap up the whole Roxmark at almost the same price as they spend on the property if it was for sale. It is continues to be our Gold in Canada M&A play and Junior Investment Cycle phase Green Discovery in action.

TORONTO, May 26 /CNW Telbec/ - Roxmark Mines Limited (TSXV-RMK) today reported that it has received an additional $550,000 in cash and will soon be receiving 200,000 more shares of Premier Gold Gold Mines Limited, under its joint venture agreement with Premier Gold. The issuance of shares is subject to TSX approval.The payments were triggered as a result of Premier's accelerated exploration expenditures on the Hardrock Project in the Geraldton Camp of the Beardmore-Geraldton Greenstone Belt.Under terms of the agreement, signed in September 2007 and amended in July 2008:- Roxmark soon will have received a total of $750,000 and 400,000 sharesof Premier valued at approximately $1 million- Roxmark has a 30% carried interest in the project.Expenditures incurred so far by Premier on the Hardrock Project are in excess of $14 million. As operator, it is undertaking an aggressive exploration program using three drill rigs to carry out more than 50,000 metres of definition and exploration drilling. The drilling is targeting both open pit and underground style gold zones. Significant potential exists for developing resources in several areas."The success in drilling numerous target sites at the Hardrock Project accelerates the process of bringing these properties to a production decision." said Monir Younan, President. "Roxmark's immediate priorities as operators in the Beardmore Camp remain unchanged. We are committed to bringing the Northern Empire Mine to the production stage and thereafter, to focusing on the development of the Leitch-Sand River Mine area." Younan added.About Roxmark MinesRoxmark Mines Limited is the leader in gold and molybdenum exploration and development in the historically significant Geraldton-Beardmore area of Northwest Ontario. In addition to the Hardrock Project in the Geraldton Camp, Roxmark is aggressively pursuing a number of initiatives in the Beardmore Camp, including re-opening the Northern Empire Mine and the upgraded onsite mill and expanding the resource base at the Leitch-Sand River Mine, once Canada's richest and now 100% owned by Roxmark. In recent years, Roxmark has generated cash flow from bulk-sampled gold and molybdenum processed at its fully-permitted mill and has the advantage of infrastructure from nine formerly highly productive gold mines located on its properties. These mines previously produced nearly four million ounces of gold from high-grade ore but were closed primarily due to dramatically lower gold prices at the time and to boundary issues, since eliminated.Further information is available on the Company's website at http://www.roxmark.com/ and on SEDAR under the Company's profile at http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=AnppycOhfSDHevnbT3zRE4zOMaoB/SIG=10q41mvbm/**http%3A//www.sedar.com/.

Nobody would like to miss the Next Big Thingand after Daimler's move into Tesla, automakers are buying time by striking partnerships around the globe. BYD with its battery technology and access to cheap workforce and Volkswagen with its auto technology, production base and distribution network means mass market for Electric Cars.

By CHRISTOPH RAUWALD and NORIHIKO SHIROUZUFRANKFURT -- Volkswagen AG said it and Chinese battery and auto maker BYD Co. will explore options for teaming up on hybrid and electric vehicles powered by lithium batteries, a move that highlights global auto makers' efforts to secure supplies of batteries for alternative vehicles.The possibility being explored, say people familiar with the negotiations, is for Shenzhen-based BYD to become a supplier of a type of lithium-ion battery technology it developed for plug-in hybrid and all electric-battery cars.

Concerns over gasoline shortages and climate change have prompted a global race to commercialize affordable electric-battery cars and plug-in hybrids that get most of their power from batteries.In addition to Volkswagen, BYD is also talking to Ford Motor Co. and another European auto maker about similar arrangements, those people said. The status of those negotiations, however, was not immediately clear. "We are always in discussions with many suppliers as a standard course of our business, but we have nothing to share at this time," said Whitney Small, a Ford spokeswoman in Bangkok.Volkswagen would be the first major automotive partner for BYD, which moved into the spotlight last year when a company controlled by investor Warren Buffett invested $230 million in the Chinese car maker, mainly because of BYD's cost-effective technology. In December, BYD -- one of the biggest global producers of cell phone batteries and a fledgling but fast-rising auto maker in China -- caused a stir by launching a plug-in car ahead of more established foreign rivals."Hybrids and electric vehicles will play an increasingly important role," Volkswagen's executive board member for technical development, Ulrich Hackenberg, said in a statement. "Particularly for the Chinese market, potential partners such as BYD could support us in quickly expanding our activities."Concerns over gasoline shortages and climate change have prompted a global race to commercialize affordable electric-battery cars and plug-in hybrids that get most of their power from batteries.One major obstacle in the race is that there's not enough capacity in the industry to produce lithium-ion batteries -- a factor that is pushing auto makers like Volkswagen to team up with multiple lithium-ion battery suppliers. Aside from BYD, Volkswagen already has signed letters of intent with Japan's Sanyo Electric Co. and Toshiba Corp., another Japanese battery producer.While lithium-ion batteries are seen as the technology that will ultimately power most plug-in cars, their successful use has been hindered by relatively high price, limited durability and safety concerns. BYD says it has largely resolved those issues by turning to a safer, more cost-effective technology called iron-phosphate-based lithium-ion technology.Lithium-ion batteries produced in China are generally about half the cost of such batteries made in Japan and the West. Costs may rise later as Chinese auto makers invest to improve their technology.Volkswagen's premium brand, Audi AG, last year had entered into cooperation with Sanyo on the development of lithium-ion technology, saying at the time the new battery technology should be ready for use in production in 2012.Volkswagen said a memorandum of understanding with BYD was signed by Chief Executive Martin Winterkorn and BYD Chairman Wang Chuanfu.In March, Mr. Wang said BYD was in talks to supply batteries to two car makers in Europe and one in the U.S., but he didn't name them.Last week, Volkswagen's German rival Daimler AG announced that it will buy a 10% stake in Silicon Valley electric-vehicle startup Tesla Motors Inc. for a "a sum in the double-digit millions of euros."Daimler and Tesla are already cooperating to integrate Tesla's lithium-ion battery packs and charging electronics into the first 1,000 electric versions of Daimler's tiny Smart two-seater. As part of a closer tie-up, Daimler and Tesla will intensify the joint development of battery systems, electric-drive systems and individual vehicle projects."

This is a Mexican silver play with our Junior Investment cyclein action. Company is producing silver and developing the new mine, we have another chance to enter with low valuation into the cycle. Chances are that if Fortuna will not be able to become a consolidator it will be one of consolidation play with Silver Standard Resources SSRI, Silver Wheaton SLW and Pan American Silver PAA.to active in the area. Avino Silver and Gold mines ASM.v is doing nothing for years and its mill still have bigger replacement value then company's market cap. San Jose mine is based in Oaxaca, southern poor and less stable part of Mexico and Avino's property in Durango state can be a very good addition to the portfolio.

May 25, 2009: Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. (TSX.V: FVI / Lima Exchange: FVI) is pleased to provide an update on its 100% owned San Jose silver-gold project in Oaxaca, Mexico. The road blockade reported in a Company news release dated April 16th, was brought to an end on May 6th by Federal and State police, as a result of a call to action by local Municipal and Ejido authorities. The Company and local authorities are engaged in dialogue with the fringe group of demonstrators in order to ensure an equitable long term solution to their concerns. A police detachment remains on-site to assure there are no further disruptions on the access road to the town and Project. The Company is in the process of gradually reinstating its ground activities.Project UpdateFortuna has been carrying out exploration and engineering work at San Jose since 2006. This work has been fully permitted by the Mexican authorities and the local communities have been kept fully informed about the Project through regular community meetings and briefings. There has been significant community support for the Project.The San Jose Project has an approved Environmental Impact Statement for all its current on-site activities granted by the "Secretaria de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales" (SEMARNAT, Mexican Environment Agency). As San Jose is not currently in production, Fortuna's activities at the site are not generating any industrial effluents. The Company's compliance with environmental regulations was verified at the beginning of the year, by the "Procuraduría Federal de Protección al Ambiente" (PROFEPA, Mexican Federal Environmental Protection Entity) as part of the latest environmental audit. Exploration drilling concluded in January 2009 and the Project is currently undergoing engineering studies. Some of the key design features that Fortuna envisages are:San Jose will be an underground operation. The Company plans to permit a 1,500 tonnes per day underground mine. There are no plans for development of an open pit mine.San Jose will not use cyanide to process its precious metal ore. The metallurgical process will use conventional flotation to recover silver and gold from sulphide ore in the form of a concentrate. This is the process route that was used by previous local operators at San Jose who were in production for many years until Fortuna purchased the mine in October 2006.Since the start of the project, the Company has been very conscious of the sensitive situation of the hydrologic resource in the Ocotlan Valley area. For this reason, water sourcing alternatives for the project are being developed around the treatment and use of sewage from neighboring towns. The San Jose mine will most likely draw much of its water from sewage, rather than from ground water sources, in day-to-day mining and processing operations. This will also benefit local communities and reduce the negative impact caused by pumping raw sewage into the Atoyac River.The San Jose mine will likely back-fill old workings with waste rock. Much of the waste rock produced from the mine will be returned to the underground workings, reducing the footprint of the project and its visual impact. In accordance with Mexican laws and Ejido authorities, the Company has signed agreements with the land-parcel owners for the surface rights, covering the approximately forty-five hectares required for future on-site infrastructure.On April 28th, the "Comisión Federal de Electricidad" (Mexican Federal Energy Commission) approved the feasibility study for power consumption at the San Jose Project, allowing for connection to the national power grid for up to five megawatts.Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.Fortuna is a growth oriented, silver and base metal producer focused on mining opportunities in Latin America. Our primary assets are the Caylloma Silver Mine in southern Peru and the San Jose Silver-Gold Project in Mexico. The Company is selectively pursuing additional acquisition opportunities. For more information, please visit our website at http://www.fortunasilver.com/Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.ON BEHALF OF THE BOARDJorge Ganoza President, CEO and DirectorFortuna Silver Mines Inc."

Another forgotten Junior close to Gold production and Mr Market is giving us second chance to play Junior Investment Cyclewith rising Gold price and valuation still reflecting lack of confidence from Investors..

Saskatoon, May 26, 2009 - Golden Band Resources Inc. (GBN: TSXV) is pleased to announce an updated NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate for the Bingo gold deposit. Gold resources (capped) now total 73,777 ounces in the Measured and Indicated category and 67,756 ounces in the Inferred category, using a cut-off of 5 g/t gold over a diluted minimum width of 2.0 metres. These figures represent an 18% increase in the Measured and Indicated resource and a 368% increase in the Inferred resource since the previous resource estimate of November 5, 2008. As previously announced, the high-grade gold mineralization in the Bingo deposit now continues to depth along a steep plunge to the north for an additional 200 m vertically, and it remains open to depth. In addition, the nearby Cockrum zone, now incorporated into the resource model for the first time, is also open in several directions (see Figures 1 and 2). Bingo is a high-grade quartz vein-hosted gold deposit located at the southern end of Golden Band's land package in northern Saskatchewan, and is 45 kilometres southwest of the Company's Jolu gold mill. The initial disclosure of a mineral resource for the Bingo deposit was made by the Company on June 29, 2006 and updated resource estimates were made by the Company on January 8, 2008 and November 5, 2008. This fourth mineral resource estimate was completed by the Company and conforms to National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101) standards for the reporting of mineral resources.The Bingo deposit (including the Cockrum zone) is estimated to contain a Measured plus Indicated Mineral resource of 174,668 tonnes grading 13.14 grams per tonne (g/t) gold at a cut-off of 5 g/t gold over a diluted minimum width of 2.0 metres. An additional 155,074 tonnes with an average grade of 13.89 g/t gold is classified as an Inferred Mineral resource. Golden Band is encouraged by the very positive results from the most recent drill program and the 368% increase in the Inferred resource tonnes. In addition, the Cockrum Zone has been identified as having the potential to contribute a significant resource to the Bingo deposit with additional drill testing. The Cockrum zone, which is open to the northeast, southwest, and down plunge, appears to be a potentially high-grade gold zone sub-parallel to the Bingo deposit. Based on nine shallow drillhole intersections, the Cockrum zone accounts for an Inferred resource of approximately 3,000 tonnes at an average grade of 6.0 g/t Au. The Quarry showing represents the northern extension of the Bingo deposit and is now included in the Bingo geological model.Frank Hrdy, Golden Band's Vice President of Exploration said "The results from this first attempt in the fall of 2008 of a deeper drill program at Bingo prove that the high grade gold mineralization continues to depth in a continuous and geologically predictable way, and is open in this down-plunge direction. It is also evident that other gold zones like Cockrum exist in close proximity to the main Bingo gold mineralization and now that we have a better understanding of the local structures we can target our exploration more effectively. A drill program designed to continue testing the extent of the high-grade gold mineralization at depth and other nearby structures is recommended for the upcoming field season." Table 1 lists the estimated tonnes and grade for the Measured, Indicated, and Inferred resources when a statistically derived cap grades of 105 g/t gold for the Measured category and 70 g/t gold for the Indicated and Inferred categories are applied. For comparison, the variation of tonnes and grade for cut off grades of 4, 5 and 6 g/t gold is also reported.Click here to view table Also for comparison, Table 2 lists the estimated tonnes and grade for Measured, Indicated, and Inferred resource categories when capping grades are not applied. The variation of tonnes and grade are also shown for when cut off grades of 4, 5 and 6 g/t gold are used. Table 2 is included to show how grade capping affects the resource estimate. Grade capping is commonly used when high-grade deposits demonstrate a strong "nugget effect", as is the case with Bingo; however, as the capped grade is a statistical estimate, it may not reflect the true nature of the deposit. For the uncapped grades in this case, at the 5 g/t gold cut-off, there is a 39% increase of gold ounces in the Measured + Indicated resource and a 79% increase of gold ounces in the Inferred resource.Click here to view tableThe resource estimates are classified as Mineral Resources that are consistent with the guidelines in "CIM Estimation of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves Best Practice Guidelines" (2003) as required by National Instrument 43-101. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and by definition do not demonstrate economic viability. Golden Band is not aware of any issues that may materially affect its estimates of mineral resources. Estimation Methodology & Quality Control The assay results from 789 core samples taken during the fall 2008 drill program were incorporated into the Bingo assay database and were used to update the mineral resource. A total of 76 drillcore samples were assayed by the "metallic" method and 713 core samples were assayed by the standard fire assay method. Golden Band implements a rigorous assay quality assurance/quality control program including the use of the reference standards and sample blanks. All samples were consigned for assaying to ALS Chemex in Vancouver, British Columbia, an ISO/IEC guideline 17025 accredited facility. In addition, 69 samples were sent to TSL Labs in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan for re-assay checks. A total of nine surface channel sample cuts, 213 underground development face chip sample lines, 43 underground drillhole intersections, and 158 surface drillhole intersections of the Bingo zone were used to estimate the Bingo deposit gold resource. Resource estimation was constrained by a three-dimensional solid model that has a minimum 2 m width and was developed from the most current geological and analytical data. Block size was 5x5x5 metres and grade estimation was carried out by the inverse distance squared method using 1-metre downhole composite samples. Statistically derived cap grades of 105 g/t Au for the Measured category and 70 g/t Au for Indicated and Inferred categories were applied to all assay results used in the resource estimations. Blocks were estimated using a search ellipse at an orientation of 356 degrees, -65 degrees plunge, and -10 degree dip, with maximum search distances of 25 metres for Indicated and 60 metres for Inferred categories. A factor of 0.75 was used for the semi and major axis of the search ellipse and a factor of 2 was used for the minor axis of the search ellipse. The Measured portion of the resource represents only the areas that were developed underground (see news release of July 21, 2008), with a 12.5-metre influence above and below the existing development. Tonnages were calculated using an average specific gravity of 2.75 grams/cm3, based on 147 measurements taken on mineralized core samples. In order to be included in the estimate, a block was required to have at least two composites within a maximum radius of 60 metres. Surpac version 6.1.1 was the software used to create the geological model and to estimate the resource.Frank Hrdy, Golden Band's VP of Exploration, serves as the Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101. These mineral resource estimates were prepared pursuant to the Canadian Institute of Mining (CIM) Standards on Mineral Resources and Reserves. prepared by the CIM Standing Committee on Reserve Definitions that were adopted by the CIM Council December 11, 2005 (published in the CIM Bulletin of November 2005), and are compliant with National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Exploration and Development and Mining Properties.Updated La Ronge Gold Project Resources and Reserves With this increase in the Bingo resources, an updated summary of the NI 43-101-compliant gold resources contained in eight of the 12 deposits owned by the Company brings the total Measured + Indicated resources to 817,879 ounces of gold (Table 3). Inferred resources now total 254,657 ounces.Click here to view table In January 2009, Golden Band released details of reserves calculated for a Pre-Feasibility Study of the La Ronge Gold Project. Because the majority of the increase reported in this update is in the Inferred Resource Category, this update does not materially change the Bingo portion (127,000 tonnes grading 14.43 g/t Au or 58,900 ounces) of the total Proven and Probable Reserves (762,000 tonnes grading 6.21 g/t Au or 152,300 ounces) reported in the Pre-Feasibility Study.About Golden BandGolden Band Resources, already Saskatchewan's leading gold explorer, is now poised to also become a gold producer. Golden Band is a well-financed, Saskatchewan-based, publicly listed company (GBN: TSXV) whose focus is the long-term, systematic exploration and development of its 100%-owned La Ronge Gold Belt properties. Since 1994, Golden Band has assembled through staking and strategic acquisition a land package of more than 750 km2, including 12 known gold deposits, five former producing mines, and a licensed gold mill. Golden Band's key value drivers are the methodical and systematic targeting of primary to advanced-stage exploration while progressing along a parallel path to becoming a sustainable gold producer. The Company is aggressively pursuing its near-term goal of commercial production of its Bingo, Komis, and EP deposits with processing at the 100%-owned Jolu mill. The Company's objective, supported by a positive Pre-Feasibility Study completed in January 2009, is the annual production of at least 75,000 ounces of gold over a ten-year project life. Other longer-term objectives include the continuation of its highly successful exploration and acquisition strategy.On behalf of the Board of Directors of Golden Band Resources Inc., "Rodney G. Orr" Rodney G. Orr, P.Geo., President & CEO"

Monday, May 25, 2009

To all geopolitical concerns for Mr Obama this week added one more: who will control Next Industrial Revolution and Green Mobility Technological base? Chinese are moving very fast and now holding not only the key to financial health of US Dollar and US Corp itself, but also controlling production of strategic commodities for 21st century like Lithium and almost 90% of market of Rare Earth Elements (REE) - basis for Electric Car mass production dreams. But nothing is hopeless this time, there are people with ideas, companies with properties and people with money, who are ready to make this thing happen. We just need to make them find each other and keep all special interests out of the play field for a couple of years - to prove viability of this concept and make it impossible to kill Electric Carsagain.

We have another fine gentleman in our Exclusive Club of the Next Big Thing and Major Bull market. This time it is James Dines- a widely followed The Dines Letter writer. His last prediction about Uranium Bull made early buyers a lot of money and he always gets attention. Our Next Big Thing is charging fast and money is coming into the sector. Suddenly investors are waking up to the reality of Alternative Energy and Green Mobility revolution with political spice: majority of REE is produced by China and now experts are talking about quotas for Export of REE from China as a strategic commodity and base for Next Industrial revolution. Will America for real try to reinvent capitalism by technology driven production of new means of transportation based on sustainable Green solutions? Is the time of Old Boys from Oil Lobby over or at least they will decide not to kill for another buck their kids? Will people start all over again: spend what they earn, save and invest to make the New Real Deal happen? No politics here: plane Common Sense - this is the only way out of Bankrupt Financial Economy with PlayStation kids running the show. Choice is very simple: Fall of Rome or painful Next Industrial revolution based on transition from fossil fuels and into the Green Mobility revolution. Banking must be again boring and solid and all fun must be back to Ventures and Technology driven new Bull Markets. Our safe way to ride the Tide - are commodities for 21st century. We will bet on Internet needed for all new Googles and Ebays to come, we will try to avoid, where we can, former Etoys, Commerce Ones and Aribas. Our play of this Bull are electrons safely stored in Lithium batteries under management of REE based controlling devices. Another twist to our Bull story are super alloys of particular REE needed for super magnets for powerful light weighted Electric Power Trains of Electric Cars.

Actually, the real moving star of today's story was Avalon Rare Metals AVL.to with move Up 65% on 2.5 million shares.

We are pleased to see that our Lithium PlayTNR Gold TNR.v has shared the fun and moved Up 29% on 600 thousand shares. Stock is still below the radar screens of investment public, but accumulation is well under way and Dr. Frederic Breaks founder of Avalons REE Deposits is now on board of this small junior.

CEO of TNR Gold Gary Schellenbergrecently discussed REE, Tantalum and Lithium in his interviews and company is aggressively building its portfolio of Lithium and REE properties. James Dines added fire to all these Latin words by his recommendation of Avalon Rare Metals and his idea about REE Major Bull Market. Now Schellenberg's excitement about Tantalum and Lithium is making sense for investment crowd and his story is getting attention.

By Brian Truscott
Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
VANCOUVER -(Dow Jones)- Two TSX Venture-listed rare earth companies are enjoying strong gains Monday - an otherwise quiet day on the Toronto Stock Exchange as U.S. markets are closed for Memorial Day.
Commerce Resources Corp. (CCE.V) and Rare Element Resources Ltd. (RES.V) are up 32% and 37% respectively, in part because two well-regarded market watchers are talking up a niche resource sector that's largely unknown to the everyday investor.Investment-letter writers James Dines, who writes the Dines Letter, and John Kaiser, who writes the Bottom-Fish Online report, say rare earth elements are increasingly important to global markets.
Dines, who has declared himself a big-time 'investor bug' of various nascent markets in the past, said last Friday that rare earth elements could be the next major surprise bull market.Why? Rare earth elements, which go by names such as thulium and lanthanum, are used in numerous electronic applications as well as superconductors, super-magnets, refining catalysts and hybrid-car components.
The two other rare metals one needs to know about are tantalum and niobium. Tantalum is widely used in the electronics industry. Niobium is used in steels and superalloys.
The actual amount of these elements that go into producing, say, hybrid cars is small but necessary. Supply is therefore vital to producers that need these rare elements in their products.
Kaiser agrees, saying the value of rare earth element miners will be increasingly strategic as demand for product outstrips global supply.
Enter Commerce Resources, a late-stage tantalum and niobium explorer, and Rare Element Resources, which has a key rare earth project in Wyoming.As Kaiser says, the strategic worth of what they're sitting on in the ground is becoming as valuable as the elements themselves.He used a recent example: state-owned China Nonferrous Metal Mining Group (CNMC) took a majority stake in Lynas Corp. (LYC.AU) this month, giving the Australian rare earth miner US$366 million in funding. While Lynas has offtake agreements to Japanese, European and U.S. clients lasting for the next five years, its rare earth supply could last some 30 years. CNMC has now secured and therefore controls the future supply from one of the richest rare earth deposits in the world, Kaiser said.That includes tantalum and niobium.
This is all the more important because the U.S. Defence Logistics Agency stopped selling into the tantalum market in 2008. Australia's Talisman, the world's leading supplier of tantalum, has ceased production indefinitely, citing the adverse effect of the black market supply as well as intense pricing pressure.
Black-market production in war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo is, by some estimates, supplying the world with some 30% of its required supply.
As both Commerce Resources and Rare Element Resources move toward production, their leverage on global producers increases, observers say.'Commerce Resources is in a fascinating global position; the window for tantalum has opened wide,' said David Hodge, president of Commerce Resources. 'We are becoming part of the supply solution on a global basis; no matter what the studies say in terms of the price of extraction, the industry will say yes.'Commerce Resources is hoping to start open-pit production in 2010.
In Toronto, Commerce Resources is up 10 Canadian cents to 40 Canadian cents on 621,000 shares. Rare Element Resources is up 35 Canadian cents to C$1.30 on 633,000 shares.
Web Sites: http://www.commerceresources.com; http://www.rareelementresources.com
-Brian Truscott, Dow Jones Newswires; 604-669-1595; brian.truscott@dowjones.com"

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SRSrocco reports on further deterioration of the COMEX Gold inventories available for deliveries. You can guess who is taking now a...

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Dedicated to all those brave men who have been fighting the bear market in 2000 and buying the dips without understanding that they were looking straight into the abyss. Do not trust your money in anybody, for you are the one who is going to be rich or poor, not those that are advising you: always do your DD. Disclosure: We are putting our money where our mouth is.